The biography of Marco van Basten, the Dutch football legend

The biography of Marco van Basten, the Dutch football legend

Claudia Kogi
updated at February 4, 2024 at 6:44 PM

Current football fans seem to think that Messi and Ronaldo are unique players whose stats have never been repeated in history. While this is possibly true, there indeed were others players in the past who not only achieved great success but also changed the game with their style, intelligence, and flair. Among them, without a doubt, is Marco van Basten. What is known about him, and how did he contribute to the sport during his active years?

Marco van Basten is seen prior a match between Netherlands and Ecuador
Marco van Basten is seen prior to a match between Netherlands and Ecuador at the Amsterdam Arena on 1 March 2006 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo: Etsuo Hara (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Marco van Basten is a Dutch former football manager and player who played for Ajax, AC Milan, and the Netherlands national team. Widely regarded as among the most outstanding footballers of all time, he scored 300 goals and played his last match in 1993.

Marco van Basten's profile summary

Full name

Marco van Basten

Date of birth

31 October 1964

Age

59 years as of February 2024

Place of birth

Utrecht, Netherlands

Nationality

Dutch

Ethnicity

White

Parents

Leny and Joop van Basten

Siblings

Stanley and Carla

Height

6 feet 2 inches or 188 centimetres

Weight

176 pounds or 80 kilograms

Marital status

Married

Spouse

Liesbeth van Cappelleveen

Children

3

Profession

Former professional soccer player and coach

Clubs played

Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan

Clubs coached

Ajax, Netherlands National Team

Position

Centre-forward

Retirement year

1995

Net worth

$17.7 million

Social media presence

Instagram, X(Twitter)

Marco van Basten's biography

Where was the former soccer player born? Marco van Basten (age 59 years as of February 2024) was born on 31 October 1964 in Utrecht, Netherlands, to Leny and Joop van Basten. His father, Joop, played football for DOS Utrecht and UVV Utrecht but did not take it to a professional level. Unfortunately, his parents separated when he was a kid, and later on, his mother succumbed to a short illness in 2007 and his father in 2014.

Although little is known about his upbringing after his parents' separation, he was raised alongside his two older siblings, Stanley and Carla.

What is Marco van Basten's height?

The professional athlete stands at 6 feet 2 inches, or 188 centimetres, and his weight is 176 pounds or 80 kilograms. He has dark brown hair and eyes.

Top-5 facts about Marco van Basten
Top-5 facts about Marco van Basten. Photo: VI Images/Getty Images (Modified by author)
Source: Original

Marco van Basten's career stats

Basten was a striker with all the skills an attacker would typically have, from passing and dribbling to finishing. With a gymnast's flexibility and acrobatic ability, he could easily confuse any defence in Europe, and he did so year after year for Ajax, AC Milan, and the Dutch national team.

Playing career

The former professional soccer player debuted in the football scene at the age of six at the local club named EDO. After one year, he joined UVV Utrecht and remained in the club for nine years. His skills were undeniably incredible on the pitch, and he began to in the hearts of several big clubs, such as Ajax Amsterdam, which signed him in 1981.

The soccer star debuted for their first-division side in 1982 and later led the Eredivisie league in goals, scoring in four consecutive seasons (1983/84 through 1986/87). Consequently, he was named the top European goal scorer during the 1985/86 campaign.

Van Basten moved to the Italian club AC Milan in 1987 and won the league title at the end of the first season, even though he did not play much owing to an injury. The following season, he scored 19 league goals as AC Milan won the league and the European Cup. The season after, he helped the club retain their European Cup crown.

Marco van Basten in action during the Serie A match between Napoli and AC Milan
Marco in action during the Serie A match between Napoli and AC Milan at the Stadio Sao Paulo on 27 November 1988 in Naples, Italy. Photo: Etsuo Hara
Source: Getty Images

Known for helping club AC Milan go unbeaten for an entire season in 1991/92 by scoring 25 goals, he completed his 8-year career stint having scored 90 goals in 147 league appearances. Basten retired from professional soccer afterward.

Coaching career

Following his retirement, he began training as a coach and served as the assistant manager of Ajax for one year. It was in 2004 that he was finally appointed the manager of the Dutch national team, and two years later, at the World Cup in Germany, the team did not lose a game in the group stages.

He then returned to Ajax as a manager, only to resign a year later as the club failed to reach the Champions League tournaments. Three years later, he became the manager of Heerenveen, and in his two seasons at the club, he guided them to eighth and fifth-place finishes.

After spending two seasons at Heerenveen, Basten was made the manager of Dutch club AZ. However, he only stayed for a short time as the manager, as he was made assistant to the head coach. He then later became the assistant coach of the Dutch national team.

Marco van Basten's trophies and achievements

Marco van Basten looks on during the 68th FIFA Congress
Marco looks on during the 68th FIFA Congress at Expotsentr on 13 June 2018, in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Joosep Martinson
Source: Getty Images

The former legendary soccer player and coach often displayed commendable stats despite various cases of severe knee injuries. As a result, he has won several awards and honours, and he boasts of them even in his retirement. Here is a list of some of the trophies, awards, and achievements he has to his name.

  • (1988, 1989, 1992) Ballon d'Or
  • (1992) FIFA World Player of the Year
  • (1989, 1990, 1992) UEFA Best Player of the Year
  • (1988–89) European Cup Top Scorer
  • (1989–90, 1991–92) Serie A Golden Boot
  • (1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87) Eredivisie Top Scorer
  • (1983–84) European Silver Boot
  • (1985) Dutch Footballer of the Year
  • (1985–86) European Golden Boot
  • (1985–86) World Golden Boot
  • (1987) Bravo Award

What was Marco van Basten's retirement age?

Marco was somewhat prone to injuries during his playing career, especially to his ankle. As a result of his worsening ankle and subsequent unsuccessful surgeries, he was forced to miss two full seasons. Although he attempted to return, he could not sustain the sprains and had to retire in 1995 at the age of 30.

Who is Marco van Basten's wife?

The former soccer player is married to his long-term girlfriend, Liesbeth van Cappelleveen. The duo got married on 21 June 1993 and have three kids: Rebecca, who was born on 25 May 1990; Alexander, who was born on 16 May 1997; and Deborah. The couple has been intact for over three decades.

What is Marco van Basten's net worth?

Marco van Basten arrives prior to the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Marco van Basten arrives prior to the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia at the State Kremlin Palace on 1 December 2017 in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Matthias Hangst
Source: Getty Images

A prolific goal scorer and star whose career was cut short due to unsustainable injuries, he made most of his fortune from playing soccer. According to WFoot, he has an alleged net worth of $17.7 million as of January 2024.

He has not disclosed much about his assets, except that he once bought a mansion in Oranje Nassaulaan, Amsterdam, while he was a coach at Ajax. In his fleet of cars, the legendary soccer player has been spotted cruising a Porsche, Ferrari, Cadillac, and many more.

Trivia

Basten is a well-decorated Dutch national who gained huge success and fame thanks to his soccer career. Here are some facts you probably did not know about him.

What is Marco van Basten doing now?

After retirement, the former soccer legend moved to Monaco with his wife and kids, where he regularly played golf. Additionally, he became an analyst and was characterised as a cerebral analyst who ponders the problems of FIFA and proposes improvements to the offside law.

What is Marco van Basten's nationality?

The professional soccer player is a Dutch national of white ethnicity.

Marco van Basten looks on during a press conference
Basten looks on during a press conference about refereeing and new rules in football at the Zenit Arena on 15 June 2017 in St Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Stuart Franklin
Source: Getty Images

What position did Marco play?

The Dutch national often played the centre-forward position.

Final word

As one of the most revered and talented football players of all time, Marco van Basten's skill, technique, and goal-scoring prowess propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport. Although he retired early from playing, he still demonstrated his passion for the sport by taking managerial roles in various soccer clubs.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.